Search Results (47)

By the reaction of AgNO₃, 2-methyl-2-propanethiol (HStBu), with various-sized halogen ions as templates, three multi-nuclear silver-thiolate cluster-based chain-like coordination polymers, [Ag₆(μ-SBu)₆]_n (USC-CP-2), [Ag₆(μ-StBu)₅Br]_n (USC-CP-4) and [Ag₁₄(μ-StBu)₁₂I₂]_n (USC-CP-3) constructed by different Ag(I)-nanocages, have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses. With F⁻, Cl⁻ or without template, USC-CP-2 exhibits a one-dimensional structure composed of detached Ag₆-cages, absent of fluoride or chloridion. While with Br⁻ and I⁻, USC-CP-4 and USC-CP-3, two distinct halogen-templating multi-sliver cages-based chain-like polymeric structures have been observed, which are a mono-Br⁻ encapsulated Ag₈-cage, or a dual-I⁻ embedded Ag₁₆-cage, respectively. In these three compounds, the multi-Ag(I) cages were self-assembled by Ag-S bonds through bridged μ₂-StBu ligands, and stabilized argentophilic interactions between neighboring silver atoms. This study demonstrates that the halide anions of varying sizes play a critical role in inducing the nucleation and structural evolution of the silver-thiolate clusters. Full article

Investigation of the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. resulted in the isolation of nine sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids (SPAs), including four previously undescribed compounds 1–4. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including NMR and HRESIMS. In particular, compound 1 was found to possess an unprecedented cage-like ether moiety, representing the first report of such a structural feature within this class of alkaloids. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage model. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 exhibited significant inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production, with IC₅₀ values of 7.14 ± 1.89, 8.55 ± 0.37, and 14.76 ± 0.39 μM. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 suppressed the secretion of key pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, in the same cellular model. These results not only enhanced the structural diversity of SPAs identified from T. wilfordii, but also highlight their potential as promising anti-inflammatory lead compounds. Full article

The open ocean cage aquaculture system is facing considerable challenges with disease outbreaks resulting from over-farming and the rise of resistance to antimicrobial treatment. However, the environmental consequences of antibiotic usage, including ecological contamination and the acceleration of antimicrobial resistance, underscore the urgent need for sustainable alternatives in aquaculture disease management. Lipopeptides, which are a compound that can be produced by marine bacteria such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus subtilis, could represent a new solution. This review article comprehensively evaluates the feasibility of marine bacterial lipopeptides for sustainable disease management in open sea cage aquaculture. Lipopeptides, including surfactins, fengycins, iturins, and the clinically used daptomycin, have notable antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, and can have positive effects on the immune system. Notably, lipopeptides have a remarkable antioxidant profile and excellent free radical scavenging ability, making them interesting candidates for improving disease resistance in fish relating to oxidative stress. The surfactins and iturins have amphiphilic structure and can destabilize pathogen cell membranes, inhibit biofilm formation and elicit host immune responses. This represents a paradigm shift in targeting multiple pathogens of aquaculture like Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas spp. Surfactins and iturins show broad-spectrum activity, while fengycins are selectively active against fungal threats. Daptomycin, which is primarily derived from Streptomyces, demonstrates the potential of the lipopeptide class to be developed therapeutically, which is something that tends to be overlooked. Unlike synthetic antibiotics, they are also biodegradable; therefore, there is much less environmental impact from lipopeptides. The complexity of the structure may have also some impact on the rate of development of resistance, if any. Their commercialization is possible; however, the main hurdles that need to be solved to improve aquaculture are the biologically scalable production, the economically viable purification, and the stability for practical application at sea. Integrating lipopeptides into disease management systems could also ensure the sustainability of open ocean cage aquaculture and reduce unnecessary antibiotic application. Full article

Ferritin, an emerging protein resource, has garnered significant attention in scientific research due to its biocompatibility and unique cavity structure capable of encapsulating bioactive compounds. This study aimed to optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for enhancing ferritin yield from northern pike liver byproducts and evaluate its potential as a nanocarrier for chlorogenic acid (CA). Through response surface methodology (RSM), the optimal UAE parameters were established as 200 W ultrasonic power, 1:3 solid–liquid ratio, and 25 min extraction time. Under these conditions, the ferritin extraction yield reached 139.46 mg/kg, representing a 4.02-fold increase compared to conventional methods (34.65 mg/mL). Electrophoretic analysis confirmed the electrophoretic purity of the extracted liver ferritin. Comprehensive characterization using UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed preserved structural integrity of UAE-extracted ferritin. Homology modeling provided molecular insights into the ferritin architecture. Successful encapsulation of CA was achieved with an encapsulation efficiency of 13.25%, as quantified by HPLC. Analysis by DLS and ζ potential as well as TG and DSC showed that not only the thermal stability of CA was enhanced after ferritin encapsulation, but also that the ferritin remained stable with a cage-like structure. This investigation establishes UAE as an effective strategy for valorizing fish processing byproducts through high-yield ferritin extraction while demonstrating the protein’s functional capacity as a nanocarrier for bioactive compound delivery. The findings highlight the dual advantage of sustainable resource utilization and advanced delivery system development through this biotechnological approach. Full article

Spotted stone loach (Triplophysa strauchii), a common fish species in Xinjiang, China, is ecologically pivotal within the local ecosystem; regrettably, human-induced factors like habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing have gravely imperiled its survival, and compounding this is the dearth of research on the morphological disparities among its geographically diverse populations. Thus, between April and October 2024, 198 specimens were procured from Sayram Lake, Khamusigou Reservoir, and Chaiwopu Lake using cage traps and gillnets; post-collection, an array of morphological metrics were meticulously measured, and then statistical methods such as one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), stepwise discriminant analysis, and cluster analysis were employed for comprehensive data interrogation. Findings show that, across all sampled populations, the mean values of the total length (X1), body length (X2), body height (X3), and body width (X4) of the Chaiwopu Lake population are significantly lower than those of the Sayram Lake population and the Khamusigou Reservoir population; except for head length, the Khamusigou Reservoir population has lower variability in other morphological traits compared to the others. Moreover, significant divergences were detected in multiple trait ratios among the populations; PCA yielded five principal components, cumulatively accounting for 77.45% of the total variance, spotlighting the key ratios; discriminant analysis further validated highly significant morphological distinctions (p < 0.01), with the Khamusigou Reservoir population having the highest discriminant accuracy; cluster analysis graphically showed the Sayram Lake and Chaiwopu Lake populations clustering together while the Khamusigou Reservoir population formed a separate cluster; and the Chaiwopu Lake population had the most pronounced divergence in morphological traits. This research not only provides novel perspectives on the adaptive evolutionary mechanisms of T. strauchii but also serves as a cornerstone for formulating evidence-based conservation and management strategies for this species. Full article

Salt lakes are a rich source of metals used in various fields. Rubidium is found in small amounts in salt lakes, but extraction technology on an industrial scale has not been developed completely. Clathrate hydrates are crystalline compounds formed by the encapsulation of guest molecules in cage-like structures made of water molecules. One of the most important properties for engineering practices of hydrate-based technologies is the comprehension of the phase equilibrium conditions. Phase equilibrium conditions of CO₂ hydrate in rubidium chloride aqueous solution with mass fractions of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 were experimentally investigated in the pressure range from 1.27 MPa to 3.53 MPa, and the temperature was from 268.7 K to 280.6 K. The measured equilibrium temperature in this study decreased roughly in proportion to the concentration of the RbCl solution from the pure water system. This depression is due to the lowering of the chemical potential of water in the liquid phase by the dissolution of RbCl. Experimental results compared with other salt solution + CO₂ hydrate systems showed that the equilibrium temperatures decreased to a similar degree for similar mole fractions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is marked by amyloid-β plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), leading to cognitive decline and debilitating non-cognitive symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate compounds from four different classes in a short-term (7-day) study using transgenic tau mice to assess their ability to reduce non-cognitive symptoms. The best candidate was then evaluated for longer exposure to assess non-cognitive symptoms, cognition, and pathology. Methods: Tg4510 mice, expressing mutated human tau (P301L), were administered with levetiracetam, methylphenidate, diazepam, and quetiapine for 7 days at 6 months old, when pathology and cognitive deficits are established. Drugs were given in the diet, and non-cognitive symptoms were evaluated using metabolic cages. Levetiracetam was chosen for longer exposure (3 months) in 3-month-old Tg4510 mice and non-transgenic controls to assess behavior and pathology. Results: After 3 months of diet, levetiracetam mildly reduced tau pathology in the hippocampus but did not improve cognition in Tg4510 mice. Interestingly, it influenced appetite, body weight, anxiety-like behavior, and contextual fear memory in non-transgenic animals but not in Tg4510 mice. Conclusions: While levetiracetam has shown benefits in amyloid deposition models, it had limited effects on tau pathology and behavior in an animal model of tau deposition, which is crucial for AD context. The differential effects on non-transgenic versus Tg4510 mice warrant further investigation. Full article

Designing and developing small organic molecules for use as urease inhibitors is challenging due to the need for ecosystem sustainability and the requirement to prevent health risks related to the human stomach and urinary tract. Moreover, imaging analysis is widely utilized for tracking infections in intracellular and in vivo systems, which requires drug molecules with emissive potential, specifically in the low-energy region. This study comprises the synthesis of a Schiff base ligand and its selected transition metals to evaluate their UV/fluorescence properties, inhibitory activity against urease, and molecular docking. Screening of the symmetrical cage-like ligand and its metal complexes with various eco-friendly transition metals revealed significant urease inhibition potential. The IC₅₀ value of the ligand for urease inhibition was 21.80 ± 1.88 µM, comparable to that of thiourea. Notably, upon coordination with transition metals, the ligand–nickel and ligand–copper complexes exhibited even greater potency than the reference compound, with IC₅₀ values of 11.8 ± 1.14 and 9.31 ± 1.31 µM, respectively. The ligand–cobalt complex exhibited an enzyme inhibitory potential comparable with thiourea, while the zinc and iron complexes demonstrated the least activity, which might be due to weaker interactions with the investigated protein. Meanwhile, all the metal complexes demonstrated a pronounced optical response, which could be utilized for fluorescence-guided targeted drug delivery applications in the future. Molecular docking analysis and IC₅₀ values from in vitro urease inhibition screening showed a trend of increasing activity from compounds 7d to 7c to 7b. Enzyme kinetics studies using the Lineweaver–Burk plot indicated mixed-type inhibition against 7c and non-competitive inhibition against 7d. Full article

A new cage-like dimeric nickel(II) complex Ni₂L₂(DMSO)₄ based on a ditopic redox-active hydroxy-para-iminobenzoquinone type ligand LH₂ (L is 4,4′-(1,3-phenylene-bis(azaneylylidene))-bis(3,6-di-tert-butyl-2-oxycyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one dianion) was synthesized in DMSO at 120 °C. The molecular structure of the synthesized compound was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex Ni₂L₂(DMSO)₄ is almost insoluble in all organic solvents, probably due to the presence of a large number of intermolecular contacts in its structure. The electronic spectrum and thermal stability of the crystalline compound have been studied. Full article

Radix paeoniae rubra, known as red peony root, is derived from the dried roots of Paeonia lactiflora pall or Paeonia veitchii lynch from the Ranunculaceae family. It is recognized for its properties of clearing heat, cooling blood, dispelling stasis, and alleviating pain, making it one of the most commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Total paeony glycosides (TPGs) are identified as the principal active constituents of Radix paeoniae rubra, comprising monoterpenoid compounds with a cage-like pinane structure and monoterpenoids with a lactone structure. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of TPGs, with the aim of elucidating their relationships. Full article

The polymerization of fullerenes is a significant method for obtaining fullerene-based materials that possess intriguing properties. Metallofullerenes, as a notable type of fullerene derivatives, are also capable of undergoing polymerization, potentially resulting in the creation of metallofullerene polymers. However, there is currently limited knowledge regarding the polymerization process of metallofullerenes. In this study, we have selected Ca@C${ }_{60}$ as a representative compound to investigate the polymerization process of metallofullerenes. The objective of this research is to determine whether the polymerization process is energetically favorable and to examine how the electronic properties of the metallofullerene are altered throughout the polymerization process. Ca@C${ }_{60}$ is a unique metallofullerene molecule that exhibits insolubility in common fullerene solvents like toluene and carbon disulfide but is soluble in aniline. This behavior suggests a potential tendency for Ca@C${ }_{60}$ to form oligomers and polymers that resist dissolution. However, the structures and properties of polymerized Ca@C${ }_{60}$ remain unknown. We employed density functional theory calculations to investigate the stability and electronic properties of one-dimensional and two-dimensional Ca@C${ }_{60}$ oligomers and polymers. Our findings indicate that the coalescence of Ca@C${ }_{60}$ monomers is energetically favorable, with a significant contribution from van der Waals interactions between the fullerene cages. The polymerization process of Ca@C${ }_{60}$ also involves the formation of covalent linkages, including four-atom rings and C-C single bonds. The increase in the number of the Ca@C${ }_{60}$ units to three and four in the oligomer leads to a significant decrease in the HOMO-LUMO gap. In the two-dimensional polymerized Ca@C${ }_{60}$, the organization of the monomers closely resembles the spatial configuration of carbon atoms in graphene. With a direct bandgap of 0.22 eV, the polymerized Ca@C${ }_{60}$ holds potential for utilization in optoelectronic devices. Full article

The organic–inorganic hybrid compound, (o-BrAH)[H₂Co(CN)₆]_0.5·(18-crown-6)_0.5·H₂O, was synthesized and characterized by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, single-crystal diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dielectric measurements. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed a three-dimensional cage-like structure formed through the hydrogen bonds of cobalt hexacyanide, supermolecular cations, and water molecules. Temperature variation triggered an abrupt change in the cage structure and simultaneously caused dynamic oscillation of the supramolecules within the framework of [Co(CN)₆]₃⁻, inducing a phase transition accompanied by a step-like change in the dielectric physical properties. Full article

Salmon lice are one of the biggest challenges to sustainable salmonid aquaculture. The species display high evolutionary potential, which is evident by its development of resistance to numerous chemical compounds used for delousing. In response to this, salmon farms now use non-chemical delousing methods to minimize the damage done by salmon lice, including heavy reliance on cleaner fish. Anecdotal reports from farmers and fish health personnel in areas where cleaner fish are used have suggested that salmon lice are becoming less pigmented, potentially making them harder for cleaner fish to visually detect. This experiment investigated changes in the pigmentation of salmon lice in relation to the use of cleaner fish, louse stage and sex, temperature, preferred salmon swimming depth, daylength, and salinity. Salmon lice were sampled from snorkel cages on a commercial salmon farm where three cages were stocked with farmed lumpfish and ballan wrasse, and three cages were without cleaner fish. Water temperature, salinity, and depth were recorded using a conductivity, temperature, and depth recorder. Pigmentation was measured via photographic analysis of individual lice. Although louse pigmentation varied considerably throughout the experiment, using cleaner fish throughout a single production cycle did not reduce average louse pigmentation compared to control cages. On average, male lice were significantly darker pigmented than females, but otherwise there were no patterns in louse pigmentation in relation to life stage, salinity, temperature, or daylength. Salmon lice exhibit a high degree of evolvability and have become resistant to every chemical removal treatment developed thus far. The present data suggest that, with the densities and species of cleaner fish commonly used in commercial salmon production, there is not strong directional selection on louse pigmentation. Lice, at least with regard to visual appearance, are not likely to adapt in a way which reduces cleaner fish efficacy anytime soon. Full article

Aging is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD mouse models are frequently used to assess pathology, behavior, and memory in AD research. While the pathological characteristics of AD are well established, our understanding of the changes in the metabolic phenotypes with age and pathology is limited. In this work, we used the Promethion cage systems^® to monitor changes in physiological metabolic and behavioral parameters with age and pathology in wild-type and 5xFAD mouse models. Then, we assessed whether these parameters could be altered by treatment with oleocanthal, a phenolic compound with neuroprotective properties. Findings demonstrated metabolic parameters such as body weight, food and water intake, energy expenditure, dehydration, and respiratory exchange rate, and the behavioral parameters of sleep patterns and anxiety-like behavior are altered by age and pathology. However, the effect of pathology on these parameters was significantly greater than normal aging, which could be linked to amyloid-β deposition and blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption. In addition, and for the first time, our findings suggest an inverse correlation between sleep hours and BBB breakdown. Treatment with oleocanthal improved the assessed parameters and reduced anxiety-like behavior symptoms and sleep disturbances. In conclusion, aging and AD are associated with metabolism and behavior changes, with the changes being greater with the latter, which were rectified by oleocanthal. In addition, our findings suggest that monitoring changes in metabolic and behavioral phenotypes could provide a valuable tool to assess disease severity and treatment efficacy in AD mouse models. Full article

The marine polyarsenical metabolite arsenicin A is the landmark of a series of natural and synthetic molecules characterized by an adamantane-like tetraarsenic cage. Arsenicin A and related polyarsenicals have been evaluated for their antitumor effects in vitro and have been proven more potent than the FDA-approved arsenic trioxide. In this context, we have expanded the chemical space of polyarsenicals related to arsenicin A by synthesizing dialkyl and dimethyl thio-analogs, the latter characterized with the support of simulated NMR spectra. In addition, the new natural arsenicin D, the scarcity of which in the Echinochalina bargibanti extract had previously limited its full structural characterization, has been identified by synthesis. The dialkyl analogs, which present the adamantane-like arsenicin A cage substituted with either two methyl, ethyl, or propyl chains, were efficiently and selectively produced and evaluated for their activity on glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), a promising therapeutic target in glioblastoma treatment. These compounds inhibited the growth of nine GSC lines more potently than arsenic trioxide, with GI₅₀ values in the submicromolar range, both under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and presented high selectivity toward non-tumor cell lines. The diethyl and dipropyl analogs, which present favorable physical-chemical and ADME parameters, had the most promising results. Full article